Dear Empowered Reader,
As we navigate our lives, we often find unexpected sources of inspiration and growth.
Today, I want to share a personal story about my recent experience with painting my bathroom and the reflections it sparked on my journey to well-being.
Personal Story:
Like many of you, with the warmer weather, I embarked on a few home improvement projects during the past few months. I am preparing for a big move, (more on that to come!). With a paintbrush, a bucket of paint, and a goal in mind, I set out to transform my very green bathroom into a blank slate for potential new homeowners.
As I began to paint with my new white paint color I couldn’t help but imagine what was to come for myself and the new homeowners. What started as a simple painting project, evolved into a time to reflect. While I was painting, I found myself with a lot of time to think. Each layer of paint became a metaphor for layers of self-awareness.
Below are some of my reflections:
Color and Emotions:
The process of selecting colors for my bathroom painting project prompted me to explore the connection between color and emotion. As I surrounded myself with white I noticed a shift in my mood and energy levels. The color of white ended up seeming very harsh so I needed to transition to a new color. I settled on beige. With the new beige color, I realized this will set up the future homeowners for having a warm and bright space. Through this experience, I gained a deeper appreciation for the impact of color on my well-being and the importance of creating spaces that evoke positive emotions. It made me think about the colors I will choose in my new home and the mood I want to invoke.
Daily Routine and Creativity: Painting my bathroom offered a chance to express my creativity, allowing me to channel my thoughts and emotions into tangible forms of art. I am someone who doesn’t paint daily even though I wasn’t painting a landscape or portrait it still felt like an act of creativity to me. Despite the temporary disruptions to my schedule, I found joy in the process of recreating the space and noticed the impact on my well-being.
Alignment with Vision: As I stepped back to review the final result of my bathroom painting project, I couldn't help but notice the change that occurred. While the result may not have perfectly matched my initial vision, it exceeded my expectations. Through this experience, I learned to embrace the beauty of imperfection and appreciate the effort I put into the project.
Acceptance of Imperfection: Despite careful planning and attention to detail, my bathroom painting project didn't turn out exactly as expected. The paint color appeared brighter than anticipated, and the application was uneven, leading to peeling in some areas. Initially, I felt disappointed by these imperfections, but I soon realized I did my best and appreciated the lessons I learned. Through this experience, I learned the importance of embracing imperfection as a natural part of the creative process and finding beauty in unexpected outcomes.
In sharing my story and reflections with you, I hope to inspire moments of introspection and connection within our community via the newsletter, social media, coaching, and coursework. Whether you're embarking on a home improvement project or navigating life's twists and turns, remember that every experience holds the potential for growth and self-discovery.
Reflection Questions:
Exploring Color and Emotions: Reflect on a time when you surrounded yourself with a particular color, how did the color impact your mood and energy levels? How might you intentionally use color to create environments that evoke positive emotions in your daily life?
Finding Creativity in Routine: Consider an activity or task in your daily routine that you perceive as mundane or repetitive. How could you infuse creativity into this activity to make it more enjoyable or meaningful? What small changes could you implement to transform routine tasks into opportunities for creative expression?
Embracing Imperfection: Think about a recent project when the outcome didn't align perfectly with your initial vision. How did you initially react to any imperfections or unexpected outcomes? How can you cultivate a mindset of acceptance and appreciation for the beauty of imperfection in your creative pursuits and life experiences?
Lastly, have you undergone a similar journey of transformation recently? I invite you to share your stories and reflections with our online community. LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/julie-zaruba-fountaine
Facebook: www.facebook.com/people/Empower-Possible-LLC
Instagram: www.instagram.com/empowerpossible/ Let's continue to learn from each other's experiences and inspire positive change in our lives. If you are going through a transition check out my course: Career Crossroads https://empowerpossible.com/elementor-2431/
Through this online course, you will learn how to leverage your past employment experiences as a foundation for growth, uncover and celebrate your unique gifts and talents, allow yourself the necessary time and space to grieve and let go, and ultimately, chart a new and exciting future for yourself.
Wishing you moments of inspiration and growth.
Take care, dear reader, Julie
P.S.
Happy Mother's Day to all mothers and maternal figures who enrich our lives in countless ways. Whether you're a biological mother, a mentor, a guardian, or someone who nurtures and supports others, your impact is immeasurable. Your love, guidance, and care shape the world in a profound way. Thank you for all that you do.
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